El Cortez Stay

I always split up my solo trips between my friends place and the rest of the week in hotels. This trip I decided on some time downtown before moving to a locals hotel. I chose the ElCo as I've wanted to try it for a while. After leaving Bob and Sue's, I stopped by Smiths for snacks and adult beverages for the room. I headed north on Eastern and turned onto Trop, then right on Swenson. I planned to stop by the Double Down and Triple Sevens only to pass both while thinking of something else. I'll stop by later in the week. I got to the ElCo in no time and pulled into valet. In no time I was checked in and on my way to my room. The room key (a blank white card) allowed elevator access in addition to your room. I was in the tower on the 10th floor, two doors down from the elevator. Ice and vending was just the other side of the elevator bank. I was pleased with room. It had plenty of space. A king bed with two nightstands holding as much drawer space as much most room. Across from the bed was dresser with numerous drawers. Atop sat a flatscreen that swiveled so you could see it from the alcove where the loveseat sat next to the window with your view of The STRAT and No Strip. There were also two dining type arm chairs next to the nightstands that were very comfortable. A refer that actually worked was a nice touch. There was also a desk and chair with coffee maker. The bathroom was small, dated, but clean. I have no problem with this room, but I know some would. In fact, I have a couple of good friends that would find fault because the furnishings weren't purchased in the last 24 hours! The carpet was in great shape. Bathroom was dated but very clean and the wood furniture was certainly not new, but wasn't beat up in any way. I would have no problem staying here again and will.

The first night I watched a ballgame in the Parlour Lounge and had room service as the Flame was closed the nights I was there. RS was good and inexpensive. The second night I watched a game at the bar next to the café. Both offered drinks easily without scrutinizing vp play. In fact, the second night the bartender was asking me before I asked him. I tip well when paying for drinks and better for comped drinks. This usually keeps my dance card full. I can't comment much on floor service as played mostly on bartops.

The only thing suprising was the first night was not charged to my card. Checkout showed two nights charged, which turned out to be accurate. A first for me. The ECan did the same thing. I double checked my statement online when I got home and sure enough, it was true.

If you're looking for a Golden Nugget Rush Tower room for $35 a night, you ain't gonna get it. On the other hand, if you want a good sized, clean room I think you'll be happy with this choice. I was.

Good Luck!
Ric at Joes

 

Thanks for posting your review. I always mean to return to the Boulder Strip for a few night stay to start a trip, but I have so many comps on the Strip and Downtown that I pass on paying for the privilege. I may take a 12-15 month hiatus from Vegas and my comps will likely fall off a bit. I will book the EC at that point (and maybe Sam's Town as well) as they are the nicest two casinos on the BS and I haven't stayed at either (Boulder Station is my only BS hotel stay experience). Both offer great VP and decent rooms, with EC rooms a bit newer and nicer. I always received great drink service at the Eastside Cannery. I also love the Cabana Suites, and would likely stay there more often if The California did not treat me so well.

 

Thanks for the report... I love an evening of slumming it at DD.

 

Does the area by the Heart Attack Grill still have construction?

Could you hear noise in your room from nearby nightclubs?

 

I didn't notice any construction around the HAG. Possibly work on individual shops, but not that I saw. As to club noise, I was in the tower, so it's a bit far for noise from the clubs. The vintage rooms might close enough if the noise was loud enough.

Good Luck!
Ric at Joes

 

Just wondering, did your room have a fridge? I will be staying there on Sunday. I called the El C yesterday to confirm my reservation and asked for a fridge since I'm diabetic. They said that it would be an additional cost of $5 and tax a day for the fridge. Not a deal breaker but it will be another $40 for my entire stay. Luckily I booked before they added in the resort fees but after this I'm not sure if I will stay at the EC again. Adding in the resort fees and fridge fee I may as well stay at MSS or the Cal next time since room rates will be similar when you add in fees. Fridges are standard at MSS and the Cal. Guess that the EC joins the strip and some downtown hotels with their nickel and dime fees. :Þ

I just hope in the future that Boyd doesn't add those resort fees and just raises their rates instead.

 

Did you let them know you are diabetic? My wife is diabetic and most hotels will waive the charge if it is a medical need.

 

Yes, I told them that I was diabetic but they now charge a daily rate for fridges.

 

Makikiboy,
My room did include a fridge which I assumed was standard since I didn't request it. Maybe it was there from a previous guest. At any rate, you should receive one comped for legit meds, which yours are. Sounds like you got ahold of someone new as I've never heard of such a thing. If you call and talk to a supervisor I'm sure it'll be taken care of.

Good Luck!
Ric at Joes

 

Thanks for the info. Actually I called their 800 number but the front desk picked it up. I asked the girl and she said that they charge for the fridge. It could be only for the vintage and pavilion rooms though, the tower and cabana may have fridges standard. We shall see, be there in 4 days.

 

I also stayed there for 2 nights, traveling solo, and my maiden voyage for El Cortez. I was on the 12th floor facing north in a tower room. Nice room for the price, I was totally satisfied. It had a fridge and a coffeemaker (my biggest need in vegas...lol) and my 42" flatscreen was affixed to the wall. Very friendly staff there and another great perk is the complimentary ride to the airport. I didn't catch the drivers name but he was very sociable and was a nice ride. I had prepaid for the shuttle but I figured it was a safer move to call and request their service. I will stay there again, I usually split my trip between strip and downtown.
I do believe the vintage rooms are the ones without the fridges in them. I was just checking their rates and it seems that the price difference between vintage and tower (in december) is 5$ and from what I've seen from room videos online, the tower rooms appear to be much bigger.

 

I just returned from vegas and split my stay between the cal and el-cortez. Stayed on the 11th floor tower, room did have a fridge, as reported the rooms are big and clean, and a very good deal. I like staying there and other than the stone faced dealers and somewhat surly pit bosses it's great., the comps add up faster than most places as well. An interesting thing happened at the BJ tables, some guy was barrelled in losing and rebought for $500 I believe, he typically made rather small bets but then bet $100 followed by a $300 bet and won them both, he said he was just even but I thought the pit staff were gonna have a siezure, the grumpy old pit was loudly bitching out the dealer to another floor person, saying stuff like "Jesus christ, he should have shuffled him up and let me get a look at the guy" and "that fucker's gonna get up and walk now, he wont even last the shoe", it went on and on, It was loud but I could clearly hear the whole sad scene, talk about overreacting, the guy made a couple huge "get even" bets and happened to win, big deal.

 

I have stayed in the tower about 20 times and never had a fridge, only in the Cabana suites. Is a new thing? My last stay in a tower room was a few years ago. Knowing there are fridges makes me want to stay there again.

 

I did stay in one of those handicapped accessible rooms with the big bathrooms, maybe that's why the fridge.

 

I was told that some floors in the tower have fridges and some floors don't.

 

We just stayed at the El Cortez a week ago and I think they have put them in all the rooms. The one in our room was even on some kind of temporary stand.

 

I hope it is standard for all the tower rooms. I don't stock it full, but I like to put a decent bottle of white in there and it nice for leftovers from dinner.

Good Luck!
Ric at Joes

 

I stayed in the vintage rooms a few days ago. No fridges in the standard rooms, $5 a day if you want one. I just bought a $3 Styrofoam cooler and put ice in once a day for my meds. I wasn't going to pay $5 a day for something that should be free IMHO. But then with all the nickel and diming I may not stay there again, rather pay a little extra to stay at the Cal or MSS where fridges are standard.